Howa M-1500 Varminter...Good or Bad?

[CGSteve]

Just curious to see what experiences people have had with them.  I've got one locally that I can pick up for $500 and want to know if it is worth it.  The action seems to be much smoother with less play than the Remingtons and Rugers.  The fitting seemed to be pretty nice and the finish looked even...but will it shoot?
Steve

[jhm]

I have the regular howa 1500 in 223 and it has become my favorite rifle in that caliber that I own it goes with me almost daily out on the farm here for the stray yote that may be sneeking around looking for a snack. I also have a stainless ruger mark 2 in 223 that is a fine rifle but since I got the howa I have taken a real liking to it.   JIM

[RWH24]

I looked at the Tikka's and Howa's. I was where they sell Tikka's and I was ready to buy right then. I bought the Tikka, but would have bought a Howa if they had them. My order of likes are:
Tikka/Howa
Savage
Ruger/Browning

Anything else


Rem/Chester

Randy :money:

[OOBuckshot]

CG Steve, I have a 243 in a Howa. It is a great little shooter. $500.00 sounds a little steep for a Howa. I read an article in Rifle Shooter that said you could buy a new one below $400.00. I would check around before I jumped on the one you are looking at. I bought mine at a gun show used for $300.00 OOBuckshot :money:

[jdt48653]

i have a howa in 300 weatherby,its an excellent rifle.
a good price is around 400.00 new!

[CGSteve]

I am looking at the one with the vented laminated stock, blued finish, and a heavy barrel.  It seems like the prices in CA for guns are more than any other state.  They were originally asking $550, but when I asked if they could do any better, he quoted me $500.  I just don't want to get ripped off.
Steve

[John (Rojo)]

CGSteve,

I bought a 1500 Varminter w/ laminated ss not to long ago.  I was looking at a Weatherby Super Varmint Master,  and a Sako when I bought it.  This is what swayed me to buy it:  I read a couple of field tests which were positive.  Fit and finish was excellent for the money,  target crowned barrel, adjustable trigger,  rollover cheekpiece, grooved lug for smooth bolt operation,  and everything (safety, release, etc.) was in the right spot.  Balance for a heavey rifle was nice and it had a drilled and tapped extension forward of the receiver for looooong scopes if needed.  It just seemed too much bang for the buck to pass up.  I am just an average shooter if lucky, and I'll tell you this,  my Kimber 84 or my Remingtons (which have been great)  have nothing on this rifle.

I paid over five for mine, and don't regret it one bit.

Happy New Year

Rojo

[Razzle]

I have two that I have bought for my son, they are regular barrel style in 243 and 308. Both of these shot about 3/4" groups at 100 yards. So I bought me one the other day with a bull barrel in 308 and it shoots less than 1/2" group with factory loads.  I paid $400 for mine used with a simmons Aetec scope mounted on it.  My brother shoots some high dollar bench rest rifles that cost over $1000 and they shoot about 1/4" groups, so you can determin what the Howa for the dollar is worth.  For the money they can not be beat.

[CGSteve]

It's all done now...I bought that bad boy!  I will pick it up in a couple of weeks once the waiting period is up.
Thanks for all of the help,
Steve